Inspection Records Req'd for B31.1 Pipelines

Date 08-20-2009 12:28

Hi-
Just a quick question here-
What is the best practice, or required practice for inspection records when a high pressure piping network is governed by B31.1?

More specifically, we are having a contractor install high pressure (3000 psig) air lines and the facility folks have applied B31.1 as the governing Code. I have been combing the 2007 edition of B31.1 and cannot find where any documentation that regards inspection records to be prepared. By the criteria of Table 136.4 (pg 93 of 2007 edition) they are only required to perform VT examination. Well that is fine, but I want an inspection report or documentation that each and every joint was VT'ed, the lines were hydro'ed, and then flushed/inspected for cleanliness. Where is that written?

Is an official AI required to inspect this work? or just a person employed by the weling company that has been qualified for VT?

Thanks

By ssbn727 (*****)

Date 08-20-2009 12:39

Hi Tom!

I'm not absolutely sure if you'll find it there but, have you looked in ASME Section V for any guidance???

Respectfully,
Henry

By CWI555

Date 08-20-2009 14:38

B31.1 07

136.1.2 Verification of Compliance. Compliance
with the requirements of this Code shall be verified by
an Authorized Inspector when a Code stamp is required
by Section I of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel
Code. The rules of this Code and the quality control
system requirements of Appendix A-300 of Section I of
the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code shall apply.
The quality control system requirements are shown in
Appendix J of this Code. The duty of the Inspector shall
be as defined in PG-90, Section I, of the ASME Boiler and
Pressure Vessel Code. Data Report Forms are included in
the Appendix of ASME Section I for use in developing
the necessary inspection records. The Inspector shall
assure himself/herself that the piping has been constructed
in accordance with the applicable requirements
of this Code.

-----------
136.3.1 General. Examination denotes the functions
performed by the manufacturer, fabricator, erector,
or a party authorized by the Owner which include nondestructive
examinations (NDE), such as visual, radiography,
ultrasonic, eddy current, liquid penetrant, and
magnetic particle methods.

You should also be aware that the rules for NDE apply for visual examination in B31.1
Therefore the documentation requirements for NDE also apply
---------------------------
136.4.2 Visual Examination. Visual examination as
defined in para. 100.2 shall be performed in accordance
with the methods described in Section V, Article 9,
-----------------------------------------------------
07 section V art 9
T-990 DOCUMENTATION
T-991 Report of Examination
T-991.1 A written report of the examination shall contain
the following information:
(a) the date of the examination
(b) procedure identification and revision used
(c) technique used
(d) results of the examination
(e) examination personnel identity, and, when required
by the referencing Code Section, qualification level
(f) identification of the part or component examined
________________________________________________

Since 31.1 para 136.4.2 requires Sect V art 9 compliance, then T991 defaults as your reporting requirement.

Regards,
Gerald

By ssbn727 (*****)

Date 08-20-2009 15:58

Thanks Gerald!

The bottom of your post in bold lettering answered my own "hunch!" ;)

Respectfully,
Henry

By tom cooper (**)

Date 08-20-2009 17:09

I pondered paragraph 136.1.2 for a long while and I think what throws me off a little (or a lot) is the caveat "...verified by an Authorized Inspector when a Code stamp is required
by Section I of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. "   I can't find any connection between my circumstance and Section I especially since the preamble (see page xxxi) seems to specifically exclude any external piping covered by ASME B31.1; And that seemed to contradict the next line, " The rules of this Code and the quality control system requirements of Appendix A-300 of Section I of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code shall apply."   But now having read it about 26 times, I guess the only difference is that the services of an AI are not required but Sect I will be applicable.

However, your reference to paragraph 136.3.1 may be the real silver bullet I needed. And thanks for the extract on Section V Article 9.

Next question: How do you become an AI?   I presume you must take a test the way CWI's do for AWS work but have not seen much discussion on ASME qualified inspectors.

Thanks.

By motgar

Date 08-20-2009 17:29

Tom,

Take a look here. Maybe it will answer some of your questions.

http://www.nationalboard.org/Index.aspx?pageID=6&ID=28

Last time I looked one can take ASME endorsements thru AWS. I know it does not make one an AI but, it at least shows ones competence.

http://files.aws.org/certification/CWI/EndorsementApp.pdf

By tom cooper (**)

Date 08-20-2009 19:10

Thanks for the links motgar-
I just read thru NB-380 & NB-263, whew! thats a tough program. I wonder what the pay is like in the NY Metro-Phila area?

By CWI555

Date 08-20-2009 19:43

A lot of them come out of hartford boiler. (AI)

Your state may have some influence on that as well.

In regards to the references to Section I and the AI, remember there is a definitive difference between an 'inspector' (Authorized inspector) and an 'examiner' (Nondestructive examiner)

Regards,
Gerald